Jota Sport AMR To Enter LMP1 in 2012

Only days after unveiling the first images of Aston Martin's new LMP1 designJota Sport have become the first partner team to confirm the intentions to campaign the machine, starting in 2012.

“We're extremely proud to be an Aston Martin Racing Official Partner team and thrilled that Aston Martin Racing has confirmed its plans to design a new LMP1 prototype to meet next year's regulations,” said team principal Sam Hignett.

Jota Sport became an official partner of Aston Martin earlier this year, initially representing the marque in GT4 competition, but the latest announcement comes as the team begins to step up the classes (and becomes Jota Sport AMR – the nomenclature reflecting their relationship with the manufacturer's racing arm).

2011 will see the squad enter the GT Endurance Pro (LMGT2) class of either the Le Mans Series or the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup with the Aston Martin Vantage before entering LMP1 in Aston's new open cockpit prototype racer in 2012.

The team have also confirmed they plan to try to secure an entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in both their 2011 LMGT2 campaign and their LMP1 seasons.

“Having started our new relationship with Aston Martin Racing on a high with GT4 class victory in the Spa 24 Hours recently, we’re really happy to have such an exciting multi-year programme confirmed so early,” said Simon Dolan, the team's co-owner and one of two confirmed drivers for the team. “That’s a very rare luxury at this level of motorsport and I’ve no doubt that it will lay some strong foundations for the development of the team.”

Dolan, it was also confirmed will be joined by Sam Hancock, the factory driver loaned to the team for a majority of the campaign.